Alice George
Alice George
Alice George is an American author and journalist specializing in Cold War culture/public history, Philadelphia history and 20th Century American political history. She has authored several books such as The Cuban Missile Crisis: On the Edge of Nuclear War and The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: Political Trauma and American Memory.
Early Life and Education
Alice George was born into a family steeped in the history and legends of the American Revolution. Her father Henry Longfellow, an acclaimed poet, wrote many iconic and popular works such as Paul Revere’s Ride and The Song of Hiawatha.
She lived surrounded by art and culture that celebrated America’s founding, as well as living in a house owned by George Washington. Additionally, she spent much of her free time reading books about America’s history to gain a deeper understanding of her nation’s legacy.
She had a passion for education and became an influential leader in higher education. As the first dean of women at the University of Chicago, she doubled the number of enrolled female students there. Unfortunately, she passed away from a heart attack at 47 years old at age forty-seven; however, her vision and dedication to education will be remembered for years to come.
Professional Career
Alice George has an illustrious career in photography. She is a renowned photographer, writer, editor and curator.
Her first job was as assistant photo editor at Time magazine in the late 1960s, where she helped pioneer a more personal, engaged style of photography that was also deeply immersive. She nurtured and promoted young photographers such as Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Joel Sternfeld, Gilles Peress and Duane Michals through mentorship and promotion.
After working as a freelance photo editor, she ventured into curating exhibits, writing or co-writing five books and consulting wealthy individuals and corporations on their photo collections. She assisted in building Dreyfus Corporation’s collection – considered one of the finest private collections in America – and is now part of RRE Partners, an early stage venture capital firm investing in emerging technologies.
Achievements and Honors
Alice George was an iconic figure in photography and champion of its revival. She inspired a new generation of photojournalists to take more personal approaches when reporting.
She pioneered a regular photographic feature for Fortune magazine and promoted an avant-garde approach to picture essays, showcasing overlooked aspects of everyday life. Additionally, she served as founding editor of Photo District News, an influential periodical devoted to exploring photography’s role in public life.
She was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Alice Rose George Award from Columbia College Chicago and the National Humanities Medal awarded by President Obama. Her life serves as a testament to her dedication to human rights and social justice, as well as her remarkable capacity for connecting seemingly disparate ideas and issues.
Personal Life
Alice George was an passionate supporter of both renowned and unrenowned photographers, cultivating connections with a community of artists and collectors. She wrote or co-wrote five books, curated exhibits, and built what many consider to be the greatest private collection of photography in America.
She worked as a journalist, writing for various newspapers. Her articles focused on American history and public history topics such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
She was a renowned writer and lecturer on women’s history and higher education, whose papers can be found at Wellesley College’s Special Collections and Archives. Additionally, she contributed articles to popular magazines as well as consulting on numerous projects.
Net Worth
Alice George is the daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. With a net worth of $54.4 billion and ranking ninth on Forbes’ list of world’s richest people, Alice George has amassed an immense fortune.
She is also a philanthropist, contributing her money to causes like K-12 education and economic development in Mississippi and Arkansas. Additionally, she runs the family foundation and founded Camp War Eagle – a summer camp for kids – with her husband Brad.
She owns a substantial portfolio of real estate investments. One such property is a 1,400-acre ranch near Fort Worth, TX that features 24-stall horse barns, equipment barns and more.